All about Bapa Sitaram, Bajrangdas Bapa

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Inspirer of the Aapaa tradition which took roots with Aapaa Mepa, who followed him.

A cave atop Songadh Hillock (near Thangadh : District Surendranagar) was his abode where he undertook hard penance.

his Temple atop the hillock

Songadh Hillock

his Cave

Aapaa Mepa

castePrajapati

sectGebinath

guruGebinath

A resident of Thangadh (Dist. Surendranagar), he pursued the profession of a potter and
was blessed by Guru Gebinath.

Jhilaniyu lake located between Surajdeval
and Songadh Hillock, on the outskirts of
Thangadh, where he would be found digging
the earth (for the soil needed for making potteries),
praising God all the time.

his Samadhi at Asthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh

Aapaa Rata

casteKathi

sectGebinath

guruGebinath

A Kathi Darbar fromMoldi (near Chotila : Dist. Surendranagar) who, after he came in touch with Aapaa Mepa, trode the path of devotion and service.

Baavan Hanuman Temple atMoldiwhere he worshipped

his farm in the outskirts of Moldi
where he went every night to guard the crop
and where his lion friends
Gangaram and Motiram came to meet him

his Samadhi at Moldi

Aapaa Jadra

casteKathi

sectGebinath

guruAapa Mepa

A Kathi Darbar fromSongadh (near Thangadh : Dist. Surendranagar) who turned over a new leaf once he realised
how great his father-in-law Aapaa Rata really was.

Believing him to be a Peer, the sick and the sightless, the crippled and the childless --- all sorts of sufferers, from all sections of the society,
came to him for his blessings, which, they thought, could cure them.

Old Songadh atop the hillockhis abode

his SamadhiatAsthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh

Aapaa Gorkha

casteKathi

sectGebinath

guruAapa Jadra

son of Aapa Jadra, he furthered and fostered the noble tradition of his worthy father.

Hanuman Temple atop Songadh Hillockwhere he worshipped

The present-day Songadh which he `founded'

his Samadhiat Asthal-nee Jagaa, Thangadh

Dan Maharaj

casteKathi

sectGebinath

guruAapa Jadra

Born totally blind, he got his eyesight with the blessings of Aapaa Jadra.

He established the Seat at Chalala (Dist. Amreli)where he served the needy and maintained and cared for cows.

He also set up the tradition of Anna-Kshetra, a free-food-for-all centre
serving Gol-Chokhaa-Ghee (jaggery, rice and ghee) to anyone who came there.

his Belongings

Chalala (Dist. Amreli)

his Samadhi

Visaman Bapu

casteKathi

sectGebinath

guruDan Maharaj

Once an outlaw, he took to the path of devotion and service after he met Dan Maharaj.

In accordance with his guru's wish he established the Seat at Paliyad (near Botad : Dist. Bhavnagar) and
carried on therefrom the tradition of his Guru.

Hall to hold Daayro

Paliyad (near Botad : Dist. Bhavnagar)

his Samadhi

Aapa Giga

casteGadhai

sectGebinath

guruDan Maharaj

He grew up at Chalala
where Dan Maharaj and Visaman Bapu, seeing the spark in him, took him in their wings.

He established the Seat at Satadhar (Dist. Junagadh) which eventually became a centre forGareeb-Sewaa (service to the poor) and Gau-Sewaa (service to cows).

Started the tradition of prasaad of Raab, made from Juvaar (a kind of corn)as advised by his Guru.

Sandhyaa Aartee (evening prayer)

Satadhar (Dist. Junagadh)

his Samadhi can be seen behind the tree

Girnari Sant Velnath Bapu

casteKoli

sectNath

guruWaghnath

view from Damodar Kund

Mount Girnar at Junagadh

view from Hasnapur Dam

He did Parakamma of Mount Girnar at Junagadh, going round and round the mountain for 12 long years,
in course of which he scaled every peak, entered every cave and got to know every tree standing there.

Velavad, near Bhavnath Taleti, Girnar

He finally returned to the foot, at Bhaveshwar, and brushed his teeth there with a Daatan --- a soft, thin branch of Banyan tree.
He then split the Daatan into two parts.
One of these, which he casually planted nearby, eventually grew into a grand, spreading Banyan tree and came to be known as Vela Vad.

Bhairavjap peak of Girnarwhere he did hard penance

Velnath-no Veeradoone of the seven such water streams near Bhairavjap peak

his Samadhi at Girnar

his Samadhi at Khadkhad (Dist. Amreli)

Ram Dhangad, a dreaded hunter from Dervav (Dist. Junagadh)who, after he happened to meet Saint Velnath,
felt inspired to abandon his ruthless deeds.

Later came to be known as Saint Ramaiya, having composed over 300 Bhajans (devotional songs) in his lifetime.

Jee Naam!--- The words, uttered in a specially prolonged and raised voice, with which he used to greet people.
So characteristic it was that the words became almost his synonym : Its utterance itself became his identity.

He dedicated his entire life to the service of the people around him.

Accompanied by his constant, faithful companions --- Lalaram the donkey and Motiram the dog --- he traversed the tough terrain of the drought-prone Kutch region on foot, in the scorching desert sun,
to try and quench the thirst of people dying for water.

Birthplace

Nani Khombhdi (near Nakhtrana : Dist. Kutch)

Ashapura Mataji Temple at Mata Na Madh (Dist. Kutch) where Mekran Dada, then a boy of just 12, resolved to tread the pathway to God through service to fellow humans.

Dattatreya Temple in Girnar where Guru Dattatreya is believed to have gifted him Kaavad(a pair of leather bags, hanging in balance, one each from either end of a strong wooden rod) which later became synonymous with him.

He did hard penance, spending 12 years each at Bilkha, Jungi, Lodai and Dhrangestablishing at each place a Dhoono (encampment for worship).

Noorsataagar-nee Jagyaa, Bilkha (Dist. Junagadh)

Jungi(near Samakhiyali : Dist. Kutch)

Lodai (near Dhrang : Dist. Kutch)

The Source

Pargatpani (near Dhrang : Dist. Kutch)

The water is harnessed into Havaado (reservoir)
for use by the nearby villagers and their cattle

where he is believed to have unearthed water from deep down the ground by just a strike of his Trishool.
The stream of water keeps coming out there even today !

Samadhi

his Dhoono

Dhrang (near Bhuj : Dist. Kutch)

his Samadhi

his belongings including the Kaavad which
he used to carry water

the well from which he fetched water
for the thirsty

his Dholio (cot)

While 10 of his dedicated disciples preferred to take Samadhi with him,
his two steadfast companions --- Lalaram the donkey and Motiram the dog --- also chose to accompany their master along his 'journey beyond'

Samadhi of his brother Patangsha Peer who stayed at Jok in Sindh and practiced Muslim religion.
On learning that Mekran Dada had taken Samadhi he left for Dhrang. He stayed here for 6 months before he too took Samadhi.

then

some of the Saakhee (short poems) composed by Mekran Dada explaining the deeper meaning of life

Jesal-Toral

Jesal Peer

Sati Toral

caste Rajput (Jesal)Kathi (Toral)

sectMaha Panth

guru Sati Toral (Jesal)not available (Toral)

Chandaji Jesal, a notorious social discard, was persuaded to return to the path of good by Sati Toral,
the virtuous wife of Kathi saint Sasatiya, a resident of Kathiawad

Bhajans explaining the deeper meaning of life composed by Jesal Peer and Sati Toral are still throbbing in the hearts of the masses.

Learning about it on her return Toral is believed to have persuaded Jesal to 'wake up'.
What about our word to each other --- she as if reminded Jesal in her voiceless utterance --- to go to the 'world beyond' together ?
And, lo, Jesal woke up --- as if from deep slumber !

They, eventually, took Samadhi together --- true to their word to each other.

Samadhi

Samadhi of Tori, Jesal's female horse

Anjar (Dist. Kutch)

Samadhi of Jesal-Toral

then

The Saintly Voices from Sorath

1947

A collection of 104 Bhajans (Devotional Songs) which he jotted down in his notebooks as he moved places researching folklore,

When the final proofs of his fairly exhaustive, almost 50-page introduction to the book, already printed, arrived to be finalised by him,
Meghani had left this world --- just the night before.

Over the few months prior to this he, who was immersed lifelong --- and neck-deep --- in creating literature,
seemed to be leaning towards something which he, as if suddenly, realised he had missed out on : Saintly Literature --- especially the Devotional Songs.

An undercurrent of his inclination for this, though, perhaps flowed underneath his other writings all along.

Indeed, he thereafter stopped writing poetry altogether, realising the literature already there more than echoed his feelings.

Meghani illustrates

Sectionsin which the Bhajans are classified

The Lord and the Land

The Pathway of Worship

The Nine Ways of Worship

The Master Tallest

Being Born a Human

Loving is Worshipping

Poet-Saintsfiguring in this collection

Aamba Chhathaa

Akha Bhagat

Raja Amarsinh

Bhawanidas

Bhojalram

Daasee Jeevan

Devaram

Devayat Pandit

Sant Devidas

Dulabh

Ganga Sati

Raja Gopichand

Guru Gorakhnath

Harji Bhati

Daas Hothi

Jesal Peer

Jethiram

Sant Kabir

Lakhiram

Likhmauji Mali

Sati Loyan

Kaaji Mahmad Shah

Meera Bai

Mahatma Mooldas

Morar Saheb

Paan Bai

Pitha Bhagat

Prem Saheb

Sant Raidas / Rohidas

Sant Ramaiya

Ravi Saheb

Ravidas Mod

Shamal Daas

Sati Toral

Trikam Saheb

some of the everfresh Bhajansfrom the collection

Names of different singers who have rendered the same particular song appear, under the title of the song, inalphabeticalorder, left to right.

click on the singer's name to listen

Ganesh Saakhee (short prayer)with which would start every Bhajan-singing session

Considered to be the 9th and the last Nath of the Nath Sect, he composed Bhajans which got adapted in Gujarati too.

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh)his place

Gorakhnath peak in Mount Girnarwhere he did penance

Sant Kabir

A weaver by profession, he composed and sang devotional songs, which came naturally to him as he wove for his livelihood.

He showed, by example, that one could worship even while working and carrying on the daily duties of life.He further showed --- by example again --- that what finally mattered was one's deeds in life rather than one's birth.

His influence was not limited to any religion or sect and he is revered even today by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike.

Lahartala Lake at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) where he was `found'

Kabir Chaura at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)his workplace

Maghar (near Gorakhpur : Uttar Pradesh) his Samadhi

The Kabir Vad standing tall on the bank of river Narmada (near Bharuch) which Sant Kabir is said to have visited.`

Sant Raidas / Rohidas

While pursuing his profession of washing skins of dead animals before use as leather, the down-to the-earth saint composed Bhajans.

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)his birthplace

Raidas Kund at Sarsai (near Visavadar : Dist. Junagadh)where he stayed during his sojourn in Saurashtra

Ravi-Bhan Tradition

BhanSaheb

It was he who took up the torch of Sant Kabir in Gujarat and eventually founded the Ravi-Bhan tradition.

He travelled extensively across Gujarat along with his team of 40 disciples called the Bhan Faujh (Army)

A well-known verse roll calling the members of the Bhan Faujh

Varahi (near Radhanpur : Dist.Banaskantha)his native place

Sherkhi (near Vadodara)the first Seat he founded

Kamijala (near Viramgam : Dist.Ahmedabad)hisSamadhi

Bund Taking the Ravi-Bhan tradition further ...

Khim Saheb son of Bhan Saheb

Dariyaasthaan at Rapar (Dist. Kutch)his Seat

Dariyaasthaan at Rapar (Dist. Kutch)his Samadhi

Trikam Saheb disciple of Khim Saheb

Chitrod (near Rapar : Dist.Kutch)his Seat

Dariyaasthaan at Rapar (Dist.Kutch)his Samadhi

Bhim Saheb disciple of Trikam Saheb

his Samadhi at Amaran (near Morbi : Dist. Jamnagar)

Daasee Jeevandisciple of Bhim Saheb

his birthplace

Ghoghavadar (near Gondal : Dist. Rajkot)

his Samadhi

He composed devotional songs imagining himself to be a Daasee (female attendant) of the Lord.

Prem Saheb disciple of Daasee Jeevan

his Samadhi at Kotda Sangani (Dist. Rajkot)

Naad Taking the Ravi-Bhan tradition further ...

Ravi Saheb disciple of Bhan Saheb

Sherkhi (near Vadodara)his Seat

Khambhalida (Dist. Jamnagar)his Samadhi

Morar Saheb disciple of Ravi Saheb

Khambhalida (Dist. Jamnagar)his Seat

Khambhalida (Dist. Jamnagar)his Samadhi

Hothi Saheb disciple of Morar Saheb

Morbi

Balambha (Dist. Jamnagar)

in alphabetic order

Akha Bhagat

Jetalpur (near Ahmedabad)his birthplace

A Vedanti and a hard-hitting social reformer,
he innovatively used a more effective
poetic form -- Chhappaa -- to achieve his goal.

Desai-nee Pol, Khadia, Ahmedabadwhere he spent most of his working life.

Aamba Chhathaa

Balak Swami Temple at Mesvan considered to be the fountainhead of Mesvaniya
tradition where he is believed to have taken Samadhi.

Believed to be his footprints at Balak Swami Temple at Mesvan (Dist. Junagadh)

The temple at Dudhrej (near Surendranagar) founded by his elder brother
Shatpragyna Swami

Bhawanidas

Bhawanidas (right) with his Guru Jodhal Peer (left)

Vankarvaas, Dholka (near Ahmedabad) his birthplace

He was, like Kabir, a weaver by profession.Words and ambience associated with his
daily working life, thus, naturally and
effortlessly got woven into his poetry.
He played Dokad, a sort of a drum,and even danced passionately as he sang.

Dholka (near Ahmedabad) his Samadhi

Bhoja Bhagat

Fatehpur (near Amreli)his Seat

No less a social reformer than a saint,
he resorted to another poetic form
for his purpose : Chaabakhaa (whip).

He took Samadhi at Virpur
in accordance with the wishes of
his disciple Jalaram Bapa

Devayat Pandit

Among his disciples were
Devtankhi Luhaarand his daughter Liralbai, residents of Majevdi (near Junagadh), who were
great devotees and noble souls themselves.

He excelled in songs foreseeing the future
and widely used Aagam,
a poetic form suitable for the purpose.

Koliyak (near Bhavnagar) He along with his wife Devalde
is believed to have taken Samadhi
near Koliyak

Lakhiram

his Bhajans came to be known as`Lakheeraam-naa Pyaalaa'

Mahatma Mooldas

Amodara (near Una : Dist. Junagadh)his birthplace

People called him Mahatmafor the services he rendered to the society.

Amrelihis Samadhi

Pitha Bhagat

his Samadhi at Junaa Vankarvaas, Vanthali (near Junagadh)

Once an outlaw, he took to the path of devotion

some Saints from Rajasthanwhose Bhajans got into Gujarati in course of time

Harji Bhati

Harji Bhati (left) with his Guru Baba Ramdev Peer

Chief disciple of Baba Ramdev Peer

Ramdevra, Rajasthan his memorial in the premises of the Samadhi temple of his Guru

some Women saintswho tried to seek unison with God by singing in praise of Him with deep devotion and intense emotion.

Meera Bai

Hailing from a high royal Rajput family of Rajasthan,
she got deeply immersed in the worship of Krishna from the very childhood.

She composed songs in Marwari, Vraj and Gujarati and sang these too in the melodious voice she was gifted with.

The place where she was born

Kudki (near Merta City), Rajasthanher birthplace

Krishna Temple in the fort

courtesy Meerabai Smaarak, Merta City, Rajasthan

Fort at Merta City, Rajasthan where she stayed with her grandparents after the death of her parents
It is, now, Meerabai Smaarak, a museum raised in her memory

Shri Chaturbhujnath Temple at Merta City, Rajasthan
where she worshipped as a young girl
and where, now, stands a temple in her memory too.

Kanwar Pada Palace
a part of Kumbha Palace
where she stayed

Chittorgarh, Rajasthanwhere she settled after her marriage with Bhojraj,
the eldest son of Rana Sangha, who ruled Mewar

Kumbha Shyam Temple later named Meera Temple
since she worshipped there regularly

Dwarka, Gujarat where she is believed to have spent the later part of her life

Ganga Sati

While her saintly husband Kahalsang Bhagat opted for a death-by-choice by taking Samaadhi,
he disuaded her from her wish to join him in the journey to the next world.
She would do well, he advised, to live a little longer instead and train Paan Bai for the life ahead.

She chose to do this through devotional songs, which she composed, one every day, for the next 52 days, interpreting life and unlocking the secrets thereof.

Rajapara (Dist.Bhavnagar) her birthplace

Samadhiyala (Dist.Bhavnagar)
her Samadhi

Sati Loyan

Atkot (Dist.Rajkot)her birthplace

Bordevi Temple atop Mount Girnarfrom where she is believed
to have left for the world beyond

Lakha, the king of Atkot who used to harass her, later repented his misbehaviour and returned to the right path.

He even showed a sincere desire to learn about spirituality, whereuponSati Loyan, in the 84 devotional songs she wrote addressing Lakha, explained the subtlties of life.